Santa Barbara

• Santa Lucia Highlands
• Santa Rita Hills
• Santa Ynez Valley

This is a very nice value wine from the Etude Winery.  It retails for about $20 (less in some places) and it very good.  Light to medium ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries with slight saline notes.  On the palate, this has juicy cherry fruit.  A slight salinity carries thru.  Nice finish.  It can be easy to dismiss a wine at this price range, but consumed blind among 10 Santa Barbara Pinots, this finished in the middle of the pack.  It probably should be consumed over the next three to five years.  Nice on its own, it would be a nice match with grilled salmon.  

This is a bigger wine.  Deep ruby/purple in color.  The nose has fresh black cherries.  On the palate, cherries and black cherries.  Lots of depth.  Turns slightly bitter on the finish.  Still drinking youthfully.  This should continue to drink well for the next decade.  It drinks well on its own, and will work with heartier fowl or meat dishes.  

The Samsara wines in our tasting did not perform well.  I am told that since about 2017, they have new owners and new winemakers, so I look forward to revisiting their wines.  Medium ruby in color.  The nose has cherries with some cinnamon.  On the palate, this has a soft texture.  Cherry candy and red licorice notes.  Not a lot of depth but a glass is tasty.  Shorter finish.  This is drinkable and solid, but no more.  Drink up.  Probably better on its own than with food.  

Very impressive showing in a recent tasting.  The kind of Pinot that pleased everyone.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, macerated cherries, slight brine.  On the palate, the cherries and black cherries come out.  This is big and bold.  A bit of sour cherries on the finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for the next five to seven years.  It works well on its own and will work well with roasted fowl.  

Golden in color, clear.  The nose has lemons and slight apple cider.  Full bodied.  On the palate, the apple cider notes are stronger.  Nice texture.  Some acid.  Mature if a bit past.  These should be consumed sooner than later.  It will work better with some lighter but rich foods.  Crab or lobster would work.

Beautiful showing for this wine.  Inky purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, slight black pepper, black olives and roasted herbs.  Full bodied.  Silky texture.  On the palate, this has depth and complexity.  Layers of black raspberry fruit, char, and pepper.  Long finish.  This is drinking well but will continue to evolve and mature.  Some upside potential.  Drink now and for ten to fifteen more years.  A great match with spicy or roasted meat and/or veggie dishes.  

This is a top quality winery from Southern California.  The El Ama is one of the top Cabernet Francs made anywhere.  Actually, it is 75% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot.  It is ripe and delicious.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose has black cherries, black olives, cigar box and spice.  Full bodied with a lush texture.  There is a nice depth with bold black cherry fruit over a nice earthiness.  Good finish.  This is just getting to full maturity but should easily go another decade.  A nice match for lamb or other grilled meats.  

This is a leaner in style, more energetic Chardonnay.  Thee alcohol comes in at 12.5%.  Medium gold in color.  The nose does show some slight smoke/vanilla but there is also plenty of pear and chalk.  Light to medium bodied with a nice backbone of acidity.  The pears come thru to the palate with a tart lemon lime note too.  A bit shorter on the finish.  Overall, a very refreshing Chardonnay that would perform better on its own and with some food than in a tasting.  It should drink well for the next eight to ten years.  Great with salads or fruits, and also cheeses, it will work well with mo

Petite Sirah is a very interesting grape.  Some wines are made to be consumed young but most need a little to a long time.  This one is not quite there but almost.  It is a grape that might be better suited to blending although its fans are strong (of which I am one).  The flavors are deep and intense but not boisterous.  This one is deep purple in color.  The nose has boysenberries, slight plums, dark chocolate and tarragon.  With air, a bit of black pepper.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  The boysenberries and plums come thru with an underlying gravelly note.  Nice balance.  It re

With Daniel Green now firmly in charge of the winery, it was good to see that the quality of these wines is just as good as ever.  The basic Jaffurs Syrah has long been an excellent value in warmer climate Syrah.  This one is no exception.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, white pepper and roasted meats with slight violets.  On the palate, this is full bodied with a lush but lively texture.  Juicy black raspberry fruit.  Depth.  Medium tannins.  Nice finish.  This will continue to get better for five to seven more years and be good for another ten after that.  It will work